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Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, an isolated United States Marine Corps out post during the Vietnam War became too dangerous to land due to hostile ground fire and shelling. To accommodate, C-130s used the Low Altitude Extraction System and kept the Marines resupplied with rations, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies. - Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, an isolated United States Marine Corps out post during the Vietnam War became too dangerous to land due to hostile ground fire and shelling. To accommodate, C-130s used the Low Altitude Extraction System and kept the Marines resupplied with rations, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert D. Barbaree III, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River, pins the Bronze Star Medal onto Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, right, a senior air traffic controller with H&HS, MCAS New River, on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. Haunschild received the Bronze Star medal for his actions as Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-162 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert D. Barbaree III, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River, pins the Bronze Star Medal onto Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, right, a senior air traffic controller with H&HS, MCAS New River, on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. Haunschild received the Bronze Star medal for his actions as Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-162 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

MCSC Marines carry double amputee during Recon Challenge - U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, commonly known as “LOWLIFE,” Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), pose for a photo in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in June of 2010. Nine years later, team “LOWLIFE” participated in the annual Recon Challenge, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, May 16, 2019. The Recon Challenge is a 30-mile obstacle course held to honor fallen Reconnaissance Marines. The team carried Jonathon Blank, who was medically retired after both of his legs were severed after stepping on an improvised explosive device, during a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Oct. 26, 2010. (Courtesy photo by Jonathon Blank.)

Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Hervey, an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East, speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2016. Hervey was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the combat distinguishing device for valor, and was recognized for extraordinary heroism for his actions on May 21, 2011, while carrying out his duties as a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Hervey, an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East, speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2016. Hervey was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the combat distinguishing device for valor, and was recognized for extraordinary heroism for his actions on May 21, 2011, while carrying out his duties as a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Marine 1st Lt. James P. Salka wears his Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device and Purple Heart after an awards ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 8, 2015. Salka received the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device for heroic service in connection with combat operations in Afghanistan. - U.S. Marine 1st Lt. James P. Salka wears his Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device and Purple Heart after an awards ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 8, 2015. Salka received the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device for heroic service in connection with combat operations in Afghanistan.

Erin Vasselian holds a Bronze Star Medal following a ceremony where her husband, Sgt. Daniel Vasselian, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Oct. 13, in front of the American Legion’s Lewis V. Dorsey Post 112 War Memorial in Abington, Mass. Daniel was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for combat actions while on his third deployment to Afghanistan. Erin Vasselian, and parents, Karen and Mark Vasselian, each were presented with medals during the ceremony. Daniel was killed in action Dec. 23, 2013 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein) - Erin Vasselian holds a Bronze Star Medal following a ceremony where her husband, Sgt. Daniel Vasselian, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Oct. 13, in front of the American Legion’s Lewis V. Dorsey Post 112 War Memorial in Abington, Mass. Daniel was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for combat actions while on his third deployment to Afghanistan. Erin Vasselian, and parents, Karen and Mark Vasselian, each were presented with medals during the ceremony. Daniel was killed in action Dec. 23, 2013 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)